Junior Aja Jackson, who has claimed four individual titles this season, will lead the 49ers women's team |
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Charlotte travels to Philadelphia this weekend for 2007 Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championships
Oct. 26, 2007
Charlotte, N.C. - The first two of 21 Atlantic 10 team champions will be crowned on Saturday, Oct. 27, with the running of the 2007 Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia, Pa.
The 30th annual Men's Cross Country Championship will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Belmont Plateau's 8,000-meter course. Last year, the La Salle men claimed their fifth title over the past six years, turning aside then-defending champion Duquesne, 52-83. Leading the Explorers will be sophomore Matt Mitchell and senior David Alfano, both members of the 2006 Atlantic 10 All-Conference team after finishing 11th and 15th, respectively. Vying for its second title in three years, Duquesne is led by senior Tom Slosky, who finished runner-up last season. In addition, two-time All-Atlantic 10 honoree Mike Andersen of Dayton will be vying to become the program's first-ever individual champion after placing ninth and third the past two years.
Joining Dayton, Duquesne and La Salle in the hunt for the 2007 crown will be Charlotte, Fordham, George Washington, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Richmond, St. Bonaventure, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier.
Sophomore Chase Eckard, freshman Dakota Lowery and sophomore Alan Ford, who have consistently placed as the top three 49ers at each meet this season, will anchor the Charlotte team.
The 19th annual Women's Cross Country Championship will begin at 10:45 am. La Salle seized its third straight A-10 title last year with 26 points, while runner-up Richmond amassed 81 points. Pacing the Explorers will be senior Rachel Papin, the only female three-time A-10 champion in Conference history. Those seeking to take home the individual crown include two-time A-10 Performers of the Week Christina DeRosa of Massachusetts and Charlotte's Aja Jackson, along with junior Andrea Florida of Saint Joseph's, who has been twice named to the All-Conference team.
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Joining Charlotte, La Salle, Massachusetts and Saint Joseph's in the quest for the 2007 title include Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, Rhode Island, Richmond, St. Bonaventure, Saint Louis, Temple and Xavier.
Freshmen Amanda Goetschius, a two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week selection, and Keara Thomas will join Jackson as the leaders of the 49ers' women's pack. Charlotte has taken the team title in each of its five races thus far this season, including four individual titles belonging to Jackson.
The Atlantic 10 Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships are the first two of 21 championships to be held this year - six of which will take place in the fall. In the upcoming weeks, Charlotte hosts both the Women's Soccer Championship (Nov. 8-11) and the Volleyball Championship (Nov. 17-18).
Complete results of the 2007 Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championships will be available tomorrow afternoon following the completion of both the men's and women's races.
